Social media influencer
Create content on social media to entertain and inform others. Ready to hit like and subscribe on a creative career?
Also known as: youtuber, content creator, influencer, streamer, podcaster, vlogger, blogger
About the job
Meet MarleyThirteen: YouTuber, gamer and influencer
What it's like
Are you the first of your friends to hop on the latest social media trend? Do you have a creative streak? You could be an influencer in the making!
You'll create content and build an audience on platforms such as YouTube, Twitch, TikTok or Instagram. You might share content about your lifestyle, a brand, products you use or something you're passionate about such as gaming, fashion or food.
The format you use for your content is up to you. There’s a wide variety of options used by content creators such as:
video
social posts
images
livestreams
podcasts
blogs
vlogs
It can take a lot of time and hard work! Although, if you become popular enough, you can generate money through adverts, partnerships, donations or subscriptions.
It's important to know that for many people, being an influencer isn't a full-time job. It might help bring in a little money on the side or be purely for fun. While it's very difficult to make it big, the most successful influencers can earn a lot of money!
If you do earn money, you’ll need to make sure you’re aware of things like tax and budgeting. Check out our article on being your own boss to learn more about self-employment.
Your tasks might include:
coming up with ideas for content
writing, filming, directing and editing content – you'll need to market your content afterwards
engaging with people who interact with your content
using equipment such as phones, cameras, lighting and computers
promoting products or brands to your audience
analysing how your content performs and engaging with popular trends
You'll need to be confident, charismatic and comfortable being the centre of attention. You should also be handy with the tech and equipment needed to create content.
Ready to hit like and subscribe? Then this could be a great way to make some money and possibly create a career for yourself!
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
Influencer Marketing Hub – discover the different types of influencer
Accountancy Age – a guide to the taxation of social media influencers
Like the sound of this career?
Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Social media influencer'
Select qualification level(s)
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Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
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Creative
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- written communication
- taking initiative
- adaptability
- networking
- working with technology
- persevering
- creative
- positive attitude
- time management
- verbal communication
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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Skills for Work: Creative Industries
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Foundation Apprenticeship: Creative and Digital Media
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Drama
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English
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Creative Arts
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Graphic Communication
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Media
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Photography
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Performing Arts
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Business Management
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Art and Design
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Computing Science
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Skills for Work: Creative Digital Media
You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.
Discover what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
There are no formal qualifications for this role. All you need is an internet connection and the equipment to create and post content, then you're ready to go!
Although, there are lots of qualifications you could study that'll help you. Whether it's college, an apprenticeship or on-the-job learning – you can develop important skills for this career.
You could also brush up on some social media skills by doing a free course.
Check out some more possible routes you could take.
College
You could do a Creative Media course to get experience of creating content such as podcasts, videos and blogs.
You may want to consider other courses where you'll learn about marketing or business. These are important skills to help you build an audience and make money from your content.
Apprenticeships
Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) mean you learn on the job. You'll get paid and work towards a qualification at the same time. You might want to consider an MA in Creative Media or Digital Marketing.
Work
You could pick up skills and knowledge by getting a job or doing work experience in a relevant role.
For example, you could apply for an entry-level social media assistant position to get hands-on experience of content creation.
Use the My World of Work job search to find vacancies.
A niche can help you stand out from the crowd. So, your content could focus on a particular topic like sports, gaming or beauty. Having a niche will help you build a dedicated following. It'll also allow potential partners or advertisers to establish if you're the correct person to help sell their products and services.
Volunteering in a relevant role can help you build the skills and experience you’ll need to become a social media influencer. Search for opportunities on Volunteer Scotland.
You'll need equipment to create your content – such as cameras, tripods, mics, lighting, phones and laptops.
You must research the terms of use for the platform you create content for. This includes knowing rules about content moderation, copyright and advertising regulations.
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